The 10th annual Fairfield County Home & Outdoor Living Expo will once again bring together landscapers, designers, remodelers and others who can help homeowners fix and spruce up their homes. This year's event takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 9 to 10, 2013, at the Stamford Plaza Hotel, Stamford, Conn. For more information, visit http://www.ctexpos.com. less

The 10th annual Fairfield County Home & Outdoor Living Expo will once again bring together landscapers, designers, remodelers and others who can help homeowners fix and spruce up their homes. This year's event ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

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During a previous event Fairfield County Home & Outdoor Living Expo visitors got some ideas for home improvement and redesign. This year's event, the 10th, will take place Saturday and Sunday, March 9 to 10, 2013, at the Stamford Plaza Hotel, Stamford, Conn. For more information, visit http://www.ctexpos.com. less

During a previous event Fairfield County Home & Outdoor Living Expo visitors got some ideas for home improvement and redesign. This year's event, the 10th, will take place Saturday and Sunday, March 9 to 10, ... more

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 3 of 3

Doing their home work: Attendees to find help, prizes, ideas at expo

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Given the weather over the past six months has been anything but placid, organizers of the 10th annual Fairfield County Home & Outdoor Living Expo have worked to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere for area residents to meet the people who can help them fix up, clean up and spruce up where they live.

"I know myself I have about 20 things I have to fix this spring, inside and out," said Nick Curci, president of Connecticut Expos, which organizes the show.

It is likely Curci and the many others who attend will find some assistance with more than 200 exhibitors spread across 35,000 square feet in the Stamford Plaza Hotel.

Contractors, remodelers, designers and repair specialists will be there, along with vendors who can offer suggestions on how to improve a home's interior and create welcoming and, sometimes, bountiful yards.

Christine Segalas and partner Mark Gaulke will be at their first expo. Having recently launched their New Canaan-based business, Homegrown Harvest, they are looking forward to meeting new people and getting the word out about residential gardening.

"We hear from a lot of people that they like gardening, but they don't have time to start," said Segalas.

With people trying to cut costs and eat healthier and more local food, she said it is easy to see the appeal of a bountiful garden right beyond your back, or perhaps, front door.

The two work to create gardens that work in all kinds of spaces and places. In addition to the planning, they will install and help with the maintenance, too.

"We go to people's homes ... and talk about their gardening needs and desires," she said.

Through the use of raised beds and container vegetable gardens, she said it can be possible to enjoy fresh produce throughout the growing season.

Gardening has been a lifetime passion for Segalas and Gaulke, but Segalas said it was only in September that they launched the business.

"We wanted to make a business out of doing something we loved and to share the knowledge that we have grown over the years," she said.

At the show, she said there will be some displays of their raised beds and containers, as well as a few things for sale.

Once you have a sense of the gardens that await, Curci said a large outdoor living exhibitor space can help in planning for outdoor design.

"We've had it for the last couple of years and it has been a big hit," he said.

Other recent additions are coming back, including the farmer's market by Gazy Brothers Farm.

The show also will feature the popular treasure chest. Everyone gets a key to try their luck and if it works, they will win one of about 40 different prizes, ranging from gift cards, products and services.

"People really seem to love it. ... I've seen them come in and make a beeline to the area," Curci said.

There are giveaways, too, including nearly $5,000 in kitchen work from Kitchen Magic, a trip to Antigua and a $1,500 window treatment package from Archetype Interiors.

Children are welcome, too, even though it may be some time before they have a home of their own. There will be face painting and animal balloons.

You can even make an addition to your family, too, with the help of an Armonk, N.Y.-based organization that was started 32 years ago in Greenwich.